JACKSON — Jackson Public Schools extended its contract with Enviro-Clean Services for two years, according to The Jackson Citizen Patriot. The contract will extend through end of the 2009-2010 school year.

The company was hired by the district in December 2004 with only six days notice.

The services have saved an estimated $1.2 million per year, Deputy Superintendent of Finance Bill Hannon told The Citizen Patriot. The newspaper calculated this to be the equivalent of $179 in savings per pupil.
The Board also voted to use Professional Educational Services Group to dispatch its substitutes, according to The Jackson Citizen Patriot. The move is expected to save the school district $163,000 annually.

The district currently employs around 300 substitute teachers, The Citizen Patriot reported.

Districts save money through substitute contracting because teachers employed by the private firm do not participate in the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System and instead can contribute to a 401(k) plan based on their own retirement needs.